A thousand cheers now rent the air,
And echoed all around the world,
Where freedom’s sons and daughters fair,
Will keep our hero’s flag unfurled.
Brave Hobson has adorned his age,
And nobly won immortal fame,
His deed will blaze on hist’ry’s page,
And all the world will praise his name.
THE OLD SOLDIER.
Make your walks level and see they are straight
And hang sweet flowers on your open gate,
Throw the blinds apart, raise the curtains high,
Swing the door open and then stand near by,
For an old soldier is coming along.
His step now is short and not very strong,
He uses a crutch to help him along,
His heart is honest and his head is clear,
He blossoms with love and brings you good cheer,
For he’s a good soldier hobbling along.
He has but one eye and that is quite weak,
But thanks to his God his good tongue can speak,
He stops to converse and rest him awhile,
And meets an old friend who greets with a smile
The gallant old soldier coming along.
The little dogs bark when they see the crutch,
For fear he will give them a gentle touch,
The little boys laugh and he speaks no blame,
But stops and helps them finish their game,
For he’s a kind soldier coming along.
The boys admire him and bring him a seat,
And gather about to hear him repeat
The stories of war in the field and camp,
In the fort and trench, or on the long tramp,
As the brave soldier was talking along.
He tells them slowly how the battle begun,
With rattle of muskets and booming gun,
How the soldier’s hopes arose and then fell,
As cheers were followed by bursting shell,
As the old soldier was marching along.